Leave The World Behind Adaptation (2023): Everything We Know So Far

With a star-studded cast the Leave The World Behind adaptation has the potential to be a big hit for Netflix. Published in 2020, Leave the World Behind captivated readers with its tense and haunting exploration of fear, uncertainty, and the fragility of human connections. Its thought-provoking storyline and brilliant prose earned critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Now, fans and newcomers alike can look forward to experiencing the story in a whole new way as the story is set to make its way from the pages of the book to the screens of living rooms as a gripping adaptation.
 
Don’t forget to check out the masterlist of all the EWKSF adaptation posts here on Alison in Libraryland!
 
This page was updated: 8/2/23
 

About The Book:

Amanda and Clay head out to a remote corner of Long Island expecting a vacation: a quiet reprieve from life in New York City, quality time with their teenage son and daughter, and a taste of the good life in the luxurious home they’ve rented for the week. But a late-night knock on the door breaks the spell. Ruth and G. H. are an older black couple—it’s their house, and they’ve arrived in a panic. They bring the news that a sudden blackout has swept the city. But in this rural area—with the TV and internet now down, and no cell phone service—it’s hard to know what to believe.
 
Should Amanda and Clay trust this couple—and vice versa? What happened back in New York? Is the vacation home, isolated from civilization, a truly safe place for their families? And are they safe from one another?
Suspenseful and provocative, Rumaan Alam’s third novel is keenly attuned to the complexities of parenthood, race, and class. Leave the World Behind explores how our closest bonds are reshaped—and unexpected new ones are forged—in moments of crisis.
 
bookshop.org // Amazon // Audiobook
 

Current Production Status:

The film is currently in post-production and waiting for it’s December 2023 release.
 

Leave The World Behind Adaptation Timeline:

The book was first published in October 2020 and was chosen as a Read With Jenna book club pick. Prior to its publication date a bidding war was held in early 2020 for the adaptation rights which Netflix won. Sam Esmail was attached to write and direct the film. Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington were both brought on to star and produce.
 
In September 2021 it was announced that Mahershala Ali was taking over the role as Denzel Washington had left the project.
Ethan Hawke joined the cast in January 2022. Filming began a few months later in April 2022 and went through June.
 
In the beginning of 2023 Leave The World Behind was featured in a Netflix video about their film slate for the year, confirming a 2023 release. It was later announced that the movie would be coming out in December.
 

Who Owns The Rights:

Netflix has the rights for the book for both producing and distributing an adaptation.
 

Who Is Attached:

Julia Robert and Mahershala Ali have been cast in the lead roles with Ethan Hawke, Kevin Bacon, Myha’la Herrold, and Farrah Mackenzie joining the cast in supporting roles.
 

Filming Locations:

The movie was filmed in New York, mostly on Long Island but also in other places including Katonah.
 

Estimated Release:

The movie has a release date set for December 8th, 2023.
 

 

Previous mentions on AiLL:

This project was featured in the 2023 Books to Screen Adaptations masterlist.
 

Other Adaptations From This Author:

So far this is the only work from Rumaan Alam to have it’s rights acquired for adaptation.
 
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Happy Reading!!
~Alison

Leave The World Behind Adaptation (2023): Everything We Know So Far

 
Hi there! I’m Alison in Libraryland, and I’ll be here for all your book related needs. Many of you know me as the girl with the book recommendations. Don’t be shy! Ask me! If you’re looking for a good book or movie adaptation, let me help you find it. I’ll be here for all your literary needs. This is a book blog run on an obsession for shiny new books, worn-through old classics, and all attempts at moving those stories to the screen, just like this Leave The World Behind adaptation!